Playing in paradise: Destinations from England's West Indies cricket tour

15 February 2017

Why should England’s one-day team have all the fun? Follow in their footsteps for a dose of winter sun or an early summer break

By Richard Roberts

England take on the West Indies in a tour of the Caribbean with three one-day internationals (ODIs) this March. And though the team will be under pressure to secure a result following defeat to India, we can’t feel too sorry for them as they head off for a week of West Indian sunshine. Plan your own winter escape with a Caribbean break inspired by the tour. If it’s good enough for them…

Start in St Kitts

Eoin Morgan’s side will get ready for the series with two warm-up matches against a West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI. Though the two games aren’t part of the series proper, they conveniently mean an extra destination. And not just any destination: lovely, sunny St Kitts. A typical Caribbean paradise, St Kitts is one half of the two-island nation of St Kitts and Nevis. With mountains covered in greenery and picture-perfect beaches, St Kitts is worth the trip alone – whether or not you’re lucky enough to have tickets for the matches.

Though St Kitts makes a perfect sun-sea-and-sand break, there are also plenty of historic sights here. The island has a long history entrenched in the slave and sugar trades, and the UNESCO-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park is a monument to 18th-century architecture and the island’s troubled past.

One of the best ways to see this fascinating destination is on a cruise that lets you discover several of the Caribbean’s standouts. Our Miami and Caribbean Eclipse Cruise combines island-hopping with a stay in fashionable Miami.

Weigh anchor in Antigua

The first two ODIs take place at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium in Antigua. So if you’re looking to be near the action then the northeast of the island is the ideal base. Conveniently, that’s also where you can find some of Antigua’s best beaches, as well as natural sights such as Devil’s Bridge – a spectacular rock arch where waves explode against the rugged coastline.

If you’re looking for a base for the cricket or just some well-earned sun and relaxation then we have the ideal Antigua package – book a stay at the Verandah Resort and Spa to be just 20 minutes’ drive from the stadium right on the coastline.

Hit the beach in Barbados

England will end the tour with the third match at Barbados’s Kensington Oval on Thursday 9 March. One of the West Indies’ most well-known islands, Barbados is what most people think of when they picture the Caribbean, from the tropical beaches of the west coast to the Mount Gay rum distillery. If you want to combine a trip to watch the series finale with some more Caribbean adventuring, then a twin-centre trip to Barbados and the spice island of Grenada is a great way to uncover another jewel of the Caribbean. Or if you want to just go all-out and cover all the standouts of the Caribbean then treat yourself to our all-inclusive drinks cruise.

But if cricket is your top priority then there’s also plenty of accommodation near Bridgetown that also gives you access to some fantastic Bajan beaches – The House is just a few minutes’ drive up the stunning west coast from the Kensington Oval and gives you access to water sports and swimming with turtles as well as the winter’s top sporting fixture.

Pad up for summer

Finally, if you’ve just got cricket on the brain then plan ahead and book tickets for a game at Old Trafford with Mail Travel this summer. You can take your pick from fixtures including a T20 game, the test against South Africa or the home ODI against the West Indies, and our packages come with superb seats as well as perks including a gourmet picnic. Book now to get your tickets or treat a cricket fan close to you.

Published by Mail Travel, a division of Associated Newspapers Limited, a company registered in England under company number 84121 with a registered office at Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5TT

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